Rosac is a topical preparation that combines 2 sunscreens with sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur. Other Sulfacetmide preparations include Plexion, Rosanil and Rosula. Rosac contains avobenzone (Parsol 1789) and octinoxate (also known as Octyl methoxycinnamate) as chemical sunscreens.
This study is saying that rosac cream was better at reducing papules and pustules and redness as well. Rosac was also slightly more likely to cause a bad reaction compared to metrocream.
Combination Sodium Sulfacetamide 10% and Sulfur 5% Cream With Sunscreens Versus Metronidazole 0.75% Cream for Rosacea, Torok HM, Webster G, Dunlap FE, Egan N, Jarratt M, Stewart D., Cutis, 2005; Volume 75, Issue 6, Pages 357-363.
Topical metronidazole and combination sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur commonly are used to treat rosacea. Recently, the relative efficacy and safety of sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens (Rosac © Cream) (n=75) and metronidazole 0.75% cream (Metrocream © (n=77) were compared in an investigator-blinded, randomized, parallel-group study at 6 sites.
After 12 weeks of treatment with sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens, there was a significantly greater percentage reduction (80%) in inflammatory lesions compared with metronidazole 0.75% cream (72%)(P=.04), as well as a significantly greater percentage of subjects with improved erythema (69% vs 45%, respectively; P=.0007).
In addition, the sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens group had a significantly greater proportion of subjects with success in global improvement at week 12 compared with the metronidazole 0.75% cream group (79% vs 59%, respectively; P=.01). There was no significant difference between treatment groups in the percentage of subjects with improvement in investigator global severity.
Overall tolerance was good or excellent in 85% of subjects in the sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens group and in 97% of subjects in the metronidazole 0.75% cream group. Seven subjects had poor tolerance to the sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens, possibly caused by a sulfa drug allergy.
- PubMed Abstract
- [UPDATE] The full article is available from Pages 17-22 of a Skin and Aging Supplement from October 2003. This supplement was supported by an unrestricted grant from Stiefel Laboratories.
- Rosac Package Insert (PDF)
- Metrocream Package Insert (PDF)
7 comments ↓
is there a way to take the odor out of the sulpha drug? I don’t think it’s my imagination that the roac cream even maks my pillow and clothes smell sulphury-if there is such a word. thanks
I haven’t used rosac, but I have noticed a sulphur smell on other topicals. My wife even used to comment that I smelled a bit strange at night. Unfortunately all I could come up with was to use less and sleep with a towel over my pillow.
davidp.
This stuff is awful. It stinks and I was allergic to it. My doctor didn’t check my medical allergies and I am allergic to sulfa drugs. My face was burning and itching and tight. I’m going back to Metrocream, no problems with that one… plus it doesn’t stink!
How can i order sodium sulfacetamide sulfer 5% 10%
Incrediable Results from sodium sulfacetamide 5% 10%
I am being prescribed rosac. Does it really stink? The lotion without the sunsreen does’nt smell so it must be the added sunscreen that makes it smell. Please comment
I was on metrogel several years ago, and when it was finally time to come off my dr. warned me that my symptoms will get very severe for a few weeks (they did). Now a different dr. prescribed prascion ra (generic for rosac). Will it do the same thing when it is time to come off of it?? I don’t want to start if so… Please let me know, I am ready to start it now. Thanks!
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